Charlottesville Company Selected to Participate in Virginia’s VALET Program

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Charlottesville company, Afton Scientific Corp, into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international sales growth. 

Afton Scientific joins the program as part of the 17th class of VALET companies. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. Currently, more than 100 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program. 

Afton Scientific provides cGMP contract sterile filling services of investigative new drugs, biologics and commercial injectable pharmaceuticals. Afton also prepares and ships pre-packaged sterile empty vials (Ready-to-Fill®) to companies worldwide for immediate use in cGMP filling operations. Afton’s customers include small biotechs, multinational pharmaceutical companies and major research institutions.

“Everyone at Afton Scientific is extremely excited to participate in the VALET program,” said Thomas L. Thorpe, President, Afton Scientific Corp. “We see a tremendous opportunity in accelerating our export growth by accessing the professional research and trade experience that the program offers.”

The VALET program incorporates services from a team of experienced international service providers who assist the VALET companies with their international goals. Service providers such as attorneys, Web designers, bankers, translators and freight-forwarders contribute essential skills for expansion into international markets.

“VALET welcomes Afton Scientific into the program,” said Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager. “We look forward to working with its international team over the course of the next two years to assist the company in exceeding export goals.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 22-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Mexico and Japan.

To learn more about the VALET program, contact Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager, at LParpart [at] YesVirginia.org or visit the programs tab at www.ExportVirginia.org.